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I went back and re-read your post about the steering wheel vibration and clunk noise from the rear end. I have not experienced those or any other problems on test drives or with either 330xi or 325xi wagon. I'd guess that someone mis-treated the demonstrator before you drove it.
Thanks in advance.
I have a manual 330xi and the only noises I've heard are the occasional chime somewhere from the dashboard(at least that's what I think it's coming from) right after I turn on the engine and also a clunking noise whenever my gear shifting from the 1st to 2nd is not that smooth. When it's kind of smooth, I don't get that clunking noise.
I might be wrong, but I don't think any of the above noises is any indication that something's wrong with the car.
BTW: I am looking at the sticker from my car right now. As far as parts content goes it lists Major source of forgien parts content: Germany 80%
U.S./Canadian parts content: 5%
Engine parts: Germany
Transmission parts: Germany
Final Assembly point: rosslynn, S. Africa
I believe that the armrest is standard in all 330's, where it's an option on the 325.
As far as AWD, the BMW system's a beauty.
About MSRP and BMW, I believe that the markup from Invoice to MSRP is very low, about 10-11%, in the 3 series, with no dealer holdback. My markup ended up at about 7.5% from invoice. They get extra commision based upon service/customer feedback.
Good luck on your lease. It's a great car!
twoof1 - "more linear power band" - you summed it up very well. Even after a month in my 325i, I still love the nice, progressive, smooth acceleration. You'll love it once you get past 4,500 RPM's. It's an incredible feeling flooring it at 3,000 RPM's and holding it there all the way to 6,000. It's like wow, what an incessant rush; and of course, it's all smooth and progressive. Oh, the sound...
fzhang875576 - I doubt that the '02 model will be packed with a lot more standard options than the mid-year models. The 325i's MSRP that I bought in March was $1,200 less than the fall model's. And of course, you know that it would be hard to get a good deal on the '02 model in the first few months after they come out.
Blinking clown nose: it seems like a lot of hassle trying to save $400 on the alarm. Just reminding you that on top of everything, the alarm comes with a motion detector and a tilt censor, both of which can be selectively de-activated by pressing the middle button on your key whenever you'd like to. Well worth the money, especially to protect a 35K car.
stgreen - "do those 17" ALL SEASON tires really handle in snow..." Don't be ridiculous - I live in Boston and I typically drive my FWD Jetta 20-25 mph faster than most cars with all-season tires in deep snow. AWD will give you much better traction than that. As far as rim diameter, you can only fit 17" rims over the 330's brakes but again, you should never have to change tires with the XI. BTW, the rim diameter (15, 16, 17) has absolutely no impact over handling in snow. It's the tire width, height, and especially compound and tread.
No noise problems of any kind in my 325i except for a barely audible seat belt pretensioner clicking noise, which I've heard on one occasion weeks ago.
eddie2224 - if you have been following this board and still need convincing, then I'm afraid we can't help you more than that. Just get the car - it is inspiring to drive like no other car in a wide price range proximity. As far as the lease deals, BMWNA has been promoting the 330i lease and I don't think they have any promotions going on the 330xi. M-B is list-or-walk unless they are phasing out a model like the current E series. One of my colleagues is picking up an E320 tonight and she got over 2 grand off b/c they are replacing the model. You couldn't get a dealer to move off MSRP on the C class. With the 3-series, typical deals are going for $1,500-2,000 over invoice (MACO included).
burrsr - I also have mixed feelings about the A6. I can say even after all these years in production that I really like the shape of the A4 but I never fully warmed up to the A6. I like it from certain angles but overall, the rear seems a little too avant-garde for my taste. The new A4's exterior is supposed to be a more aggressive downsized A6 - somehow I like it better than the A6 on the pictures that I have seen.
wheel locks - the non-key type is better b/c dirt and sand tends to get into the key type and jam it sometimes. It is not very likely it will happen but if it does when you get a flat, it would be a royal pain.
Geez, I wrote away this morning...It takes my thoughts away from the Sixers' miserable showing last night although I suspect guru is not done with us yet
I drive a 328i (RWD only) with the standard issue 205 width all-season tires. This year we had a pretty good winter (for northern NJ) with several 8"+ snow falls. I found that the only time traction seemed marginal was when driving up the fairly steep hill that I live on during a heavy sleet/snow storm. In my case, not being the sharpest knife in the drawer, I succumbed to the temptation to switch off the DSC while driving up said hill in said storm. Ooops! I have pretty good reflexes and I was barely able to catch the car when the back end snapped around and headed for the ditch. I suspect that either of the "xi" cars with the standard issue all-season tires will do just fine.
As for the wheel size, it is irrelevant, 15, 16, 17 or even 18 makes no difference. What DOES make the difference is the section width. A width of 205 is pretty good, 225 is marginal and 245 equipped cars should be kept in the garage while the heavy stuff is on the roads (unless you can find a BIG empty parking lot ;-) that is).
Eddie2224,
I think you answered your own question, depending on the leasing company; the 330i and 330xi have higher residuals when compared to the 325 models. In many cases, that difference is enough the make the 330 models cheaper to lease than the 325s.
Burrsr,
According to the Audi web site the 0-60 numbers are as follows:
6.0 sec -- Audi A6 2.7T -- 6-Speed Manual -- 3759 lbs.
6.6 sec -- Audi A6 2.7T -- 5-Speed Tiptronic -- 3836 lbs.
6.7 sec -- Audi A6 4.2 -- 5-Speed Tiptronic -- 4024 lbs.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Thanks for the help. I think I am pretty set to go with the 3-Series. I know it sounds stupid, but those movies that BMW has running on its web site really are cool. Anyway, I am going to do some comparison shopping this weekend at a M-B "Powerdrive" event. After that, I will plow into the financing end of things. I am hoping that my local BMW dealers are ready to bargain or that I can find something on the lot that is good to bargain with. By the way, what is meant by "MACO included"? I can't figure it out.
Boy, getting the 330xi would really be incredible if the lease numbers work out.
Thanks again.
Good luck, glad to hear that you're getting this exciting car on your third try. Let us know if you have any questions - this board is very good about helping converts like you. I mean car converts, we don't do religion stuff just yet
Eddie: The dealers I worked with here in the Chicago area never mentioned MACO nor is it listed on a price work sheet. I just picked up my car and it wasn't listed as a separate item. Therefore, it must be built into the price I paid. My price worksheet only included Price, Trade in, Tax, title/license, Cook County fee (EVERY car sold to a Cook county resident comes with this), and Downpayment.
Personally, I recommend Fields, Patrick, or Laurel BMW. Your milage may vary. Good luck!
MACO: Just how much IS MACO?
Locks: I just talked to the parts dept at my dealer, he also recommended the cheaper keyless locks ($30) because they don't jam, work just as well, come with two tirewrench attachments (one to store, one to keep with you), and are cheaper. The keyed ones ($70) give you four keys to keep safe and they might get filled with grit. Not fun.
As a Mac User, computing is not just a requirement of the modern age, but our choice of operating system is a religion, with Jobs as the high priest...or so many pundits state.
I've noticed a certain similarity in the excitement and dedication BMW owners have to Mac Users on the BBS's. For both groups, the extra price (and sometimes slightly statistics) is worth the elegance of the product. And both groups seem to defend their positions and their choice to their dying breath. I don't see this kind of excitement or "religion" anywhere else.
I hope I didn't offend anyone.
Any comments?
rubencahn - you will have no problems getting your theft deterrent "clown nose" switched on.
Sorry, that may have been below the belt!
So hard to know who to root for!
They are also great for home use if you want an easy to learn system but may be somewhat limited in terms of general release software availability.
Thanks.
I guess I just have to march in there with my Edmunds invoice info and go for it.
We shall see.
All this acid rain stuff sounds like a bunch of BS and I wouldn't give it a second thought. This guy may be trying to rip you off (hmm, a lady in a brand new shiny Bimmer). It doesn't matter how many years you've been going there. Just go to a different place and ask them to wax the car unless you want to do it yourself. Honestly, I don't even know why you people wax the car so soon. Every time I've washed the car, the water beads, which tells me that it does not need waxing. I would not do anything more than wax the car maybe a couple of times a year tops.
I also find it hard to believe that Macs are more stable than Windows-based comps as some have claimed. Almost half the computers at where I work are Macs and they crash all the time.
gordongirl:
Tell 'em to use Zaino...:)
also, how do u like ur "sapphire" metallic? Got any pics u can post?
i am picking up my sapphire later this week!
veekay1
You CAN overwax a car, but you'd have to try, and you'd have to do a bad job--maybe not get the car clean enough, and be rubbing dirt into the paint. That would wear down the paint over time.
dave
Thanks in advance!
I would assume that the company will likely be leasing the car (cash flow, tax benefits, etc.). If this is correct, the 330i is a more attractive leased vehicle. Due to its higher residual and (assuming BMW FS is still supporting) manufacturer-supported money factor, the 330i can be had for about the same overall cash outlay as a 325i. Some food for thought...
Brave1heart - I'm a DO for a courier company, I am always looking for good people, plan to expand to east coast in 18 months to 2 yrs.
burrsr- I drive 30K plus a year cannot lease, I pefere the BMW
Yeah, I'm with you on waxing. Although I like to do all the detailing myself...in fact, I do my girlfriends Altima all the time without a gripe, waxing can be murder in this Plano, TX heat, man! I guess I'll just detail the car as I've detailed my current and previous ones, but drive it like no other! I just thought maybe you knew something about the clear coat that left you satisfied with waxing only twice a year...
Titanium325,
That was me about the SA built models....and OK, OK, OK, I'm not worried....thanks for the reply however....
DO is what - Distribution Officer, Director of Operations?
The going rate is about $1,500-2,000 over invoice - call dealerships outside of your area if the best price you're getting is MSRP.
Maybe he caught me on the web???
Also, you CAN lease. I know folks in sales who accumulate tons of annual mileage and lease because they can essentially write off all business miles (say it's 80/20 busn/personal -- prorate your annual lease outlays by 80% and deduct that amount come tax time). Your lease payments increase according to the mileage (increased depreciation), but you'll more than make up for it on April 15. Of course, this may vary depending on company fiscal policies, etc. Typically, though, it's better for an individual in this type of situation.
OK, if you prefer BMWs, why not an M5? Or a 750iL? You still have not alluded to any decision parameters.
My wife has no problem driving a manual car. Of course, I had to teach her...but she was a natural. In fact, when I busted my left knee three years ago, she drove my Integra 5spd for three months while I was healing. She didn't want to give it up at the end because it outhandled her large Galant Sigma. I wonder if she'll give my keys back to me if we swapped my 325 with her Accord for three months. Probably not.
nice pun on the DO/OD though.
AZ: I think you have already thrown up some contradictions:
1. As a couple of posts mentioned, if its "any" car and you prefer the BMW, why not go for a 750IL Protection model?!!
2. For a person who is in such a commanding position as to be offered a free luxury car as a perk, you seem rather uncomfortable being on the web even for a few minutes (lest big brother get upset!!) Doesn't make sense.
Veekay1
veekay1 - I think AZ makes perfect sense. ANY car does not mean that he has to splurge and get a 750IL Protection - it's already very generous of his boss to let him buy a German luxury car at company expense. Even profitable companies (actually especially those) need to keep their expenses in check. As far as his web surfing, it's very typical for executives to be much busier than you and me. You know what Bob Dylan says: "You may be the devil and you may be the Lord but you're gonna have to serve somebody". Especially if you're getting paid big bucks.
Doesn't make the wait any better.
why dont you check with your dealer/BMWNA ASAP to see if u can pick it up befor the weekend is over?
Good luck!
the wait is torture! start counting man.........